Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1887-10-08
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rhe woes of Girl 81 seareh ok .{noon

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Tho Woes Of = Girl in sssrch OF .yRoom h
New York City.
II should like to give you an idea of
how we girls are treated wherever we
go to look for boarding places in this
city, said young typewriter to q
reporter the other day. t.You men can
obtain board wherever you please, and
SO long as you pay your board bills and
behave yourselves. there are no ques-
tions asked; but with girl it is differ
ent. When came to New York was
fresh from New England. unknown
and without friends here to give me
any help or hints. Consequently had
to hunt up boarding-place for myself.
After considerable looking around, ]
found quiet-appearing house where
the sign stated that a hall room was
vacant and that boarders were wanted.
''In answer to my ring kindly
looking matron inquired my business.
When told her that was looking for
boarding place visible change came
over her face.
"Who are your was her somewhat
abrupt question. Then she scanned
me as if I were suspected thief, for
whose capture reward had been
offered, and without giving me time to
answer this pertinent question, she
continued:
"'Are you married?'
"tNo, am not said as pleasantly
as my modification would allow.
"'What do you expect to do for
living? was her next query.
"'1 am typewriter
"a typewriter! This was said
with a sneer that might mean volumes.
" Have you a brother in the city or
any male friend who will call on you?'
..'No, my faoaily all live in Connec-
ticut-'
/, "Do you keep company with any
4. essng l11a;1ss' ------.
RsaIly was beginning to lose all
patience, but managed to say calmly;
4 do not, but What has that to do with
the question of my hiring room and
paying for it in advanced
Have you got any references?'
II don't see why submitted to so
much quizzing. That woman could
beat reporter asking questions. No.
l replied. but if you want them. I sup
pose could get them from home in
two or three days
"'Well, I guess we haven't any
room now, and besides I'd rather have
gentlemen was the worthy matron's
decision, as she opened the front door
only to shut it quickly behind me.
think went to fully dozen places,
only to be treated in the same way.
At last / went to the Young Woman's
Christian Association, where / should
have gone first. l never was more
thankful in my life than when, after
had been Mt work for year and de-
isred to change my place, one of the
girls in our office invited me to share
other place. This may all sound very
funny to you, but it was not a funny
for me; and my experience
is by no means unusual. A man can
get rooms and board where he chooses,
without references and questions, but
when a girl tries to get board for her.
self, if she is well-dressed, her charac-
ter is doubted, and there is no room
for her; people wonder where she gets
her money. If she is poorly dressed,
she is naturally not wanted, because
she will lower the reputation of the
house. She must, in self-defense,
marry or at least become engaged, if
she have no male relative under whose
protection she is. 1t does seem as if
might be done for poor girls
who come to the city in this way.
There ought to be somebody willing to
take them and care for them respecta-
bly, and economically, and do this with
out sacrificing the self-respect of the
girl. IN. Y. Tribune.